French Prime Minister Michel Barnier on Monday invoked Article 49.3 of the Constitution to push through the Social Security Financing Bill without a parliamentary vote.
Article 49.3 allows the adoption of a bill without a vote but risks a motion of no confidence against the government. This is the first time Barnier has used Article 49.3.
The left has promised to file a motion of no confidence if Article 49.3 is invoked, and the National Rally announced on Monday morning that it will support this motion. If supported by combined votes, the motion could lead to the fall of Michel Barnier’s government.
"We have reached a moment of truth where everyone must face their responsibilities. It is now up to you, deputies and parliamentarians, to decide if our country will have responsible, essential, and useful financial legislation for our citizens or if we will enter uncharted territory," Barnier said to the National Assembly.
The French veteran politician urged prioritisation of "the nation’s future" over "particular interests."
Major far-right concession
In a concession to Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National (RN), the French government has committed not to cut medication reimbursements as previously planned, according to a statement from Michel Barnier released to the French news agency AFP on Monday.
Barnier has been unable to secure a majority for his budget. The key sticking points for the opposition parties are the indexation of pensions and the reduction of medication reimbursements.
